3. How did you start doing graffiti? How did you learn to do graffiti? What does graffiti mean to you? How do you see it fitting in with hip hop?

I started doing graffitism on (PSV Matatu) after high school, Graffity just came to me and started practising alot with the spray can. Graffiti is spiritual Art. It always fits because the artforms go together. Rappers have been doing graffity backgrounds since the 80’s

4. What is ‘politicking’?

Most probably talking about stuff that builds you as a person

5. What is ‘mental slavery’?

Being entrapped by your thoughts that misguide you

6. Do you have a philosophy of education?

You can learn everything so its up to you if you want to or not

7. You mention in your Spray for Change interview that you “do things that other people are scared of doing or are not interested in.” What sources do you draw inspiration from? Are there any sources that you think would surprise people?

8. Where do you see people having “space to express themselves”? Are there any organizations/communities that you see building these kinds of spaces?

There’s lots of space especially in the city centre these buildings have space but the Nairobi Council has put up billboards for profit. It sad don’t you think?

9. How do you feel graffiti art is different from other forms of visual art?

Style! In a major way, grafitti has class other forms of visual art are just that visual art

10. How do you think the placement of graffiti in public spaces, rather than in galleries or wherever, changes the nature and politics of graffiti?

Banksy said ‘’if you do graffiti indoors that’s interior design’’ so graffity is for walls

11. Graffiti, by nature, being in public spaces, how does you, as an artist, feel about the art being out there for the public to see, welcome or unwelcome? What makes you decide to put graffiti where you do?

I feel good about because we do the artform not just for us as writers but for the public also meaning they don’t have to go to galleries to see art. We bring the art work to them

12. Also understanding many times graffiti is also welcomed by people, please talk about what kind of agreements you have with people who willingly allow you to do graffiti where they live/work, etc.
Who supports the work you are doing?

We often agree on excecution, meaning the job has to come out well and how long the job eill and will finish within the period of time we agreed upon

Different people suprisingly cooperate.
13. Do you find yourself a target of police harassment? What would you say to people who see graffiti as “visual terrorism”?

Definitely. I even think I’m being followed around but am not sure. Its just phobia for the artform. Graffiti strikes minds and thoughts provoke
14. How do politics and your own personal values impact your work?

Politics is just a dirty game and so my work keeps values in every vice that surrounds me.

15. What is “tagging”? How is it different from graffiti art or murals?

Is part of the art form. When a writter passes an open area he’ll definitely want to leave a mark and that is his/her graffity name tagging is done quick, rural pieces may take days or weeks

16. What do you see the function of your graffiti art being in your communities and the places where your art is visible?
What role does graffiti art play in the communities?

The biggest role is improvement

17. Do you see graffiti art as a possible way to re-vitalize, beautify, and/or support local communities?

Definately, Grafiiti has a strong essence and where we do it we definately touch souls. Its just a way of letting communities know we can do better

18. What’s a place you would love to work on but haven’t had an opportunity to yet? (Is there any public space you would love to create graffiti for if you had the chance?)

Any or one of the billboards on the city centre

19. Could you talk about the “Unga Revolution”?

It is basically about food scarcity, and food is expensive in supermarkets so its pressing the government to regulate prices.

20. Is there a language, or languages, associated with graffiti art? Or could you talk about different styles and approaches to graffiti art you have seen?

The language used is style. I think even writer has a style to be able to communicate to fellow writers where he is at and his craft
21. Could you talk about different historical figures you see being repeated in Graffiti art, and talk a little about their significance?

Mahatma ghandi, Haille selasie they were figures who inspire free spirits and as a writer I should be free to express myself at any given time.
22a. How do you see graffiti art in dialogue with public spaces? Do you see graffiti art re-imagining public spaces, or otherwise creatively engaging with them?

Definitely, as I said graffity strikes minds so where else than public places to strike public minds

22b. Is graffiti only for urban spaces? Where are some unusual places you have encountered graffiti?

Mostly because graffity is street art and upcountry folks have no idea what paint can do. Most only in nairobi streets

23. Are you part of any graffiti organizations?

Only spray uzi, I think we are legends period. We try to give graffiti a good name but we still kick street places and tags now Cooperate organizations are interested in us because of our principals and all.
24. How are graffiti artists making money from their work today?

25. Who else do you see ‘doing’ hip hop, other artists, deejays, dancers, activists, hustlas, etc.? How are you coming together with these different varieties of hip hop’s people?

Mostly we get together at hip hop gigs in and around the city where hip hop is more vibrant and where it is vital

26. What are some obstacles you have encountered during your involvement in the arts/activist scene(s)?

None, its been smooth because we are protected.

27. How have women contributed to graffiti art in East Africa? (name, if you know of any artists or supporters of graffiti, etc.)

Not so much, there are a few but I mostly they get on but fall of quick

28. Could you describe some positive things you have seen hip hop communities doing? Whether it is artists sharing resources, a place to stay, getting linked with work
etc.

Mostly links like judge hooked us up and am a graffity writer he’s a rapper. So yeah and resources too. We work together as a company

29. What hustles are you working on now? is there such a thing as hip hop jobs? ama only hustling? (Talk about any of your projects, visual arts-based or otherwise) What sort of opportunities has the graffiti world provided you with?

I don’t hustle no more, Spray uzi alredy established , we got people for that, what are hip hop jobs getting that cooperate money for sure.

30. What are some of the obstacles/problems facing young people in Kenya today (zote, Lodwar to Dando to Westi?)